Method and apparatus for cargo loading and discharging in flight



March 21; 1939.

ByB. SMITH 2,151,395

NG AND DISGHARGING IN FLIGHT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR. CARGO LOADI 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2 5,'193e luvcu'rolz 1.x 9. B B. SMITH ',3

METHOD AND A'EPA'RATUS FOR CARGO LOADING AND DISGHARGING IN FLIGm March '21,

Filed Nov. 25, 1936 2 Sheets-Sfiee't 2 panying drawings and finally pointed outin the Patented Mar. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARGO LOADING AND DISCHARGING IN FLIGHT Beauford a. Smith, Emigrant Gap, Callf., assign-- or to A M. Hinman, Emigrant Gap, Calif.

imam November 23, 1930, Serial No. 112,392

"lClaims.

My invention relates to airplanes and has for its particular object the provision of means whereby an airplane in flight may lower a tethered hopper to the ground where it becomes fixed, forming the apex of an inverted cone about the base of which the plane continues. While on the ground the hopper may be loaded or unloaded as desired, after which the tether may be reeled in and the hopper taken aboard the plane.

My inventlon'is intended to be of especial use in application to those conditions where physical connection with the ground is essential yet where the terrain is such that landing the plane is impractical or even impossible. It is also intended for use under conditions where contact with the ground is required for only a short interval, as in handling comparatively small amounts of air mail, in which case the contact can be effected in much less time than would be required to land the plane, transfer the material desired and take off again, with the accompanying delays due to taxiing into position for transfer and for taking off.

Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby such a hopper may be permitted to drop quickly from the plane.

Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby the tether may be suitably guided, and held within desired lateral limits with reference to the airplane.

A still further object of my invention is to appended claims.

Referring to the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a plane in flight showing the hopper, of my device being drawn thereto.

1"ig."2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a plane embodying my device, and showing the hopper being lowered therefrom.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan' view,' to a reduced scale, showing the relation between a plane, incorporating my device, in flight and with the hopper of my device grounded.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, through the floor of a plane, taken adjacent the tether cable'of my device.

Fig. 5 is an elevation oi the hopper .of my device showing it grounded.

Fig.6 is a sectional elevation of the hopper of my device; showing the disposition therein-of .the tether cable and the load.

Fig. 7 is an obverse view of the base of the hopper.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation of the base of the hopper.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

I preferably provide a cabin plane I having 1 spaced side walls 2, a floor 2A, and a ceiling 2B. A pair of transversely aligned hatch members 3 in the floor 2A are longitudinally hinged upon their remote longitudinal edges, and are adapted to open either inwardly or outwardly, as indicated in Fig. 4, providing an aperture through the floor 2A when thus opened. v

A winding drum 4 is'afllxed to the ceiling 2B and in substantially vertical alignment with the diameter of the cable 5 be kept as small as possible to reduce the amount of air drag thereupon.

Suitable actuating means 6 for rotating and/or braking the winding drum 4 is provided.

A bifurcated bridle I is suitably attached to the free end of thecable 5. A hopper 8 is suspended from the bridle I as hereinafter described.

1 preferably form the hopper 8 with a circular metallic base 8 provided with an integral rim '9A'. The base 9.1s provided with a plurality of equally spaced apertures i0 adjacent the rim 8A. A plurality of substantially vertically disposed ribs II, each terminating in a loop HA, is disposed about the base 9, each-of the loops A being engaged by an aperture it. Each of the ribs M is outwardly pressed as by a reactance member B. which may besuitably secured to the base 9 as by rivets HC.

Thebase member 9 is provided with a depending foot I 2 aflixed thereto. A pointed sleeve I3 is fitted to the foot I! andis arranged to permit limited axial displacement therewith. A suitable reactance member, as coil spring I is provided to maintain the sleeve II in a normally extended position.

Each oi the ribs Ii is provided, at its remote end, with a loop II. Cords l6 and I! extend each through half of these loops and connect with the hopper I thereto.

A suitable filler for the spaces between the ribs II may be provided as by a fabric lining I.

In order to assure that the hopper I will mainplane, a suitable drag may be provided as by the attachment of a parachute pack 10, in which is packed a parachute 20.

To maintain a transversely centralized alignment of the cable 5, an arm 2|, hingedly mounted to the plane at one of its ends and free to swing in a vertical plane between desired limits, is provided with a sheave 22 at its free end over which the cable I is trained. when the hopper is within theplane, the arm 2| with the sheave 22 occupies the position shown in dotted outline, and when the hopper is being dropped or retrieved the arm 2| with the sheave 22 occupies the position shown in solid outline.

In use, the hopper l is placed upright in the floor 2A of the plane, any load to be lowered is placed within the hopper I as at 22, the bridle l is dropped within the hopper and a suflicient length of cable 5 .isunreeled from the drum 4 and coiled within the hopper as shown in Fig. 6.

The length of cable thus disposed should be some:

what in excess of that required to reach from the grounded hopper obliquely to the circling planeabove, as the force of the dropping hopper should be expended upon the groimd rather than uponthe cable I. Incasenoloadistobedroppedv ground, the

' When the plane arrives over the area with which contact is to he established, it is put into as tight acircle as practicable, the hatch doors are released downwardly, and the hopper drops clear of the plane. Simultaneously, the arm 2| and the sheave 22 assume their lowered position, holding the cable I in proper trim. -The hatches 3 may be immediately closed if desired.',Uponthe parting of the friction coupling-2i.

The hopper continues its descent, held upr t by virtue of the drag of the parachute 2|. Upon striking the ground, the force of the descent is broken in part by the penetration of the pointed sleeve l3 into the soil and partly through the bufier action of the spring l4.

Itis to be noted that the weight of the hopper should be sumcient, when combined with the action of the pointed sleeve II, to cause it to remain substantiallystatlonary, resisting the tendency of the cabledragtoshift it.

The plane continues to travel in a tight circle, while the ground crew removes the load 23 and places any load for the plane in place thereof.

When this has been accomplished, the drum actuating means is energized, causing the drum 4 to rotate and retrieve the cable, 5 and the attachedhopper 8. Assoonasthehopperissumciently clear of the ground and any sm'roumiing obstacles as buildings, power lines and the like,

the plane may resume itsjourney, the hopper being retrieved in the meantime. when the hopper contacts the closed doors 3 they can open inwardly. bridle 1, upon contacting the sheave 22, can carry it upwardly, permitting the hopper to be received within the plane and allowing the hatches 3 to be closed. The hopper may now be again prepared for use as described above.

It will be apparent to and appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made in the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is desired therefore that only such limitations shall be placedon the invention as may be imposed by the prior art and the appended thus described my invention, that which Iclaimasnewandwishtosecurebylletters Patent is: I

1. In a device of the class described, an aircraft, a tether hopper connected to the aircraft and adapted to be dropped therefrom,-- means attached to the plane for adjusting the length of the tether, means for maintaining the tether in transversely centralized alignment relative to the aircraft, an air drag in parachute form attached to the hopper to maintain it in desired posture during its period of dropping, and a spring pressed, conical foot terminating the hopper.

2. In combination with an aircraft a hopper adapted to drop thereirom, a*tether connecting the aircraft with the hopper and mainly wound in-said hopper, means attached to the aircraft for retrieving the hopper, and a spring and point bulfer means terminating the hopper and adapted to cushion the contact thereof with the ground. 8. In combination with an aircraft, a hopper adapted to be dropped therefrorma tether con-- necting the aircraft with the hopper and mainly wound in saidhopper, 'means attached to the aircraft for retrieving the tether and hopper, and parachute means attached to the hopper to maintain it in desired posture during its descent.

- 4. In combination with an airplane, a hopper, a tether connecting the airplane and the hopper, parachute means attached to the hopperto maintain the hopper in upright position, and means attached to the airplane for recovering the tether and hopper. 5. The herein described method of'eiIecting th transfer of material between an aircraft in flight and the ground consisting in first guiding the aircraft in a closed circuit, then dropping a tethered hopper toward the ground while unwinding speed of said hopper before it reaches the ground.

6. The herein described method of efiecting the transfer of material between an aircraft in flight and the ground consisting in dropping a tethered hopper toward the ground whileunwinding the 'tether from the hopper, then checking the speed of said hopper before it reaches the ground, then guiding the aircraft in a closed circuit about an axis normal to the point of contact of the hopper V with the ground.

7. The herein described method of eiIecting the ."BEAUFORDESMITH, 

